Letter from Jerusalem:It's Time To Tell The Truth

"I will be direct: We are shouldering the burden of the Haredi public in every area of life."

Time to tell the truth
By Rachel Azaria • Ha'aretz

The time has come for us to look directly into the eyes of the ultra-Orthodox who live in this country and say to them: Dear Brothers and Sisters, it's just not working anymore. Not for us and not for you. 

After nearly a year on the Jerusalem City Council, and the more I become involved in the day-to-day running of municipal affairs, I am only more convinced of just how true this is. And the situation is getting harder all the time.

The "system" by which 80 percent of Haredi men in this country don't work, and the average Haredi woman gives birth to eight children, isn't workable. We, the non-Haredi public, are no longer capable of carrying them on our shoulders. And there is no moral reason why we should be required to do so. 

I will be direct: We are shouldering the burden of the Haredi public in every area of life. Humans don't live on air alone, after all, so someone has to support those eight children, and pay for the needs of the 600,000 members of the ultra-Orthodox community nationally, whether it be in education, health care, housing, food or extracurricular activities for the children. And although the Haredim do receive some generous assistance from donors abroad, for the most part, it is we who pick up the tab: We, the rest of the population of the State of Israel, who work hard and pay high taxes - we are the ones who support them. 

How does the system work? I'll give an example. In non-Haredi municipal preschools in Jerusalem, 70 percent of the fees are covered by the children's parents, with taxpayers paying for the remaining 30 percent. The discounts that make up that difference usually go to impoverished families, new immigrants or those with other difficulties. It's natural in any society for those who are weaker to need assistance. Thirty percent is a high percentage, it's true, but we can still afford to cover the cost. That's what social solidarity is. 

Among the Haredi public, however, only 30 percent of tuition is covered by parents, while the lion's share, the remaining 70 percent, is picked up by - that's right, the taxpayers. 

Or, take housing, a major portion of any family's budget. Israel is crowded and housing is expensive. Almost no construction is going on these days for young families of limited means. Except for Haredim, that is. Our minister of construction and housing, Ariel Atias, recently announced a new project to build apartments specifically intended (in terms of size and cost) for young couples, but some 90 percent of them are in ultra-Orthodox communities. And who is subsidizing this worthwhile endeavor? Non-Haredi young couples and the rest of the population who pay taxes. 

Let's move on to arnona (property tax). The Haredi public is almost completely exempt from paying it, for economic reasons. Therefore, in Jerusalem, where one-third of the Jewish population is Haredi, there is a lot of arnona that isn't being paid. Who then pays for street-cleaning, maintenance of parks and playgrounds, and other aspects of our collective day-to-day life in the capital? We, the non-Haredi public. Little wonder, then, that the city is so dirty. And I haven't even mentioned army service, public funds that are directed to yeshivas, child allowances and many other examples of how the burden is not shared equally. 

So, the time has really come to tell ourselves, and the Haredim, the truth: It can't go on like this. In Jerusalem the situation is the most palpable, because of the critical mass of 30 percent of the Jewish public that is ultra-Orthodox. But keep in mind that nationally, 25 percent of all the children who entered first grade this month are Haredim. And in time, what has happened in Jerusalem will happen in the rest of the country. 

What's amazing is that the system isn't even working for the Haredim themselves. In the first generation of the Haredi "revolution" - revolutionary in the sense that the men studied instead of working - in the state's early decades, they still had parents who could support them, even after they got married and had children. In the next generation, perhaps some money was left from the grandparents. Today, though, no money remains, and raising eight children with no regular full-time income is no easy task, even with all the discounts in the world. Even with the support of the non-Haredi public and foreign donations, these families remain poor, and have no way of escaping the vicious circle of poverty, so long as their rabbis maintain their hard-line policy. 

During this period of soul-searching, it would be worthwhile for Haredi leaders to think about the reality they have created, and to acknowledge that something has to change. I respectfully propose that they take the initiative and the historic step of encouraging their public to begin to support its own needs just as the non-Haredi public supports itself. I can see the growing anger and bitterness the non-Haredi public is feeling toward its ultra-Orthodox brethren, because of being forced to shoulder the burden of an entire public that can't cover its own needs. The same will happen nationwide in time. And if the ultra-Orthodox public doesn't take the lead in changing this situation, then the non-Haredi majority will do so. Because we're all very tired. And the system no longer works. 

Rachel Azaria is a member of the Jerusalem City Council from Tnua't Yerushalmim (Jerusalemites Movement).

Comments

[Ben]

The system is unfair and needs to be changed. There is no reason why the secular parents who can not buy an appartment for their own children should do it for haredi parent's children through government tax extortion policy. This is not justice.

Shana Tova everybody.

[chaim]

i really wish the hareidi leaders were actually capable of responding constructively to this respectful and well put letter. but, unfortunately, i think that this is a change that will have to be imposed on them externally. this is their way of life and I think that it is almost inconcievable to them to live any other way, it would be like changing the united states into a monarchy.

[seymour]

very well said I wonder will the Herediem even read it

[David Jackson]

Shana Tovah to everyone! Let us hope and pray that next year people will start taking more responsibility for their actions and how they affect others.

[David]

It bears noting that the system which Ms. Azaria now decries was not cooked up in its entirety by the Hareidim; it is the product of a deal between the Hareidim and the secular government-- the Hareidim deliver votes in the Knesset in exchange for benefits. The secular government made itself a very bad deal and, of course, Ms. Azaria is right-- they can't afford it.

[A. Nuran]

He said what needs to be said without being hostile or patronizing.

[anycomment]

The article presents the Secular position on this in a respectful and reasoned way. I would guess that it represents the views of many Religious Zionists as well.

I suggest that the issue is somewhat broader than only chreidim, but goes to the policy of Israel, a State with socialist origins, on dealing with the poor. It is reasonable for the gov't to cap the support that wealthy and middle class Israelis provide to the poor (we face similar issues in the US). Large chareidi families in Europe survived (some with great difficulty) w/o significant gov't help, and I'm confident that thye will adapt to a revised system in Israel.

The gov't and chreidim must also find a way acceptable to both sides for chareidim to participate in gov't service (chardal is a good start). This will take compromises on both sides but it's essential for Israel to function.

One consideration of the Secular gov't no doubt is the demographic info poublished each yr before R'H. Israel cannot continue as a Jewish state w/o a Jewish majority, and coolectively the Jews are losing this battle. I would expect this to be a consideration in any revisions to current policy.

I would not expect such issues to be resolved w/o constructive dialogue between the chareidim and the gov't. Reasonable ppl who think out of the box need to be found on both sides.

Shana Tova to all, and may the new year bring greater understanding and tolerance of our diverse communities.

[harold]

Good article.

I just have a few questions, with regards to the issue of education, the article mentions that "30 percent of tuition is covered by parents" I thought education in Israel was free, like it is here in the US (lets keep the private schools out of the picture since we have here an issue of separation of church and state that disallows the funding of private education).

As to the issue of employment. Just what is the situation with regards to job opportunities in Israel? Do they have the same problem as we currently have in the US where even if one wants to work, the jobs are very difficult to come by? I bring this up because it is easy to say get a job if there are no jobs to be had. Since we are talking about bringing a large number of people (I gather the number is large by the tone of the article) is there some sort of a program in mind to employ such large numbers?

What are needed are available jobs and a stipulation that to continue to receive benefits then one must show up for work. This must be done in an intelligent, well thought manor, maybe some form of part time work leading to full time over a period of time. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

[Shmarya]

The education referred to is specifically preschool.

As clearly noted in this (and in dozens of other) article(s), haredi unemployment is a CHOICE made by haredim. They CHOOSE not to work because their RABBIS tell them to learn full time.

[harold]

... unemployment is a CHOICE ...

That I understood, but if one is to "force" them by either Rabbinic decree or Government mandate, my questions about the Israeli job market and opportunities remains.

[anycomment]

I believe the issue is more complex. I think the chareidim get a deferrment from the IDF while thy're learning; so if they want to work they need to join the IDF first. Some chareidim, i believe, work "off the books" to avoid this problem, more on the chassidic side.

Harold and Shmarya: it would help if u can resolve whether Harold is chareidi, and if u conclude he is, whether he's chasidish or yeshivish. Then he can give us the chareidi view, and fill in the missing info.

Kv'ChT

[Shmarya]

That I understood, but if one is to "force" them by either Rabbinic decree or Government mandate, my questions about the Israeli job market and opportunities remains.

Haredim are unskilled, are often nearly or completely illiterate in both Modern Hebrew and English, and are wholly unfamiliar with a normal non-haredi workplace.

They need a year (or often more) of remedial work to qualify for the most basic jobs, and then a year of school or more to qualify for anything else.

There are jobs. Haredim simply don't qualify for them.

[David Willig]

Amein V'Amein. The Chareidi school system must lead to literacy in Hebrew and English or they should get no subsidy at all. At least work becomes an available option. The Yeshiva cannot be a Madras which leaves its graduates only able to riot and throw rocks.

[harold]

Haredim are unskilled, are often nearly or completely illiterate

In that case the first step would be to require schooling to raise their literacy. Considering their affiliation with some sort of a yeshiva, setting up some form of educational presence there, with government certified instructors, would be the most cost efficient location to provide the necessary training. Again the carrot/stick of this program would be the receiving of benefits.

[A. Nuran]

Harold, if you gave them real education it would probably destroy the Charedi way of life. The one thing a closed, authoritarian, obedience-based culture cannot survive is any difference in perspective. Tolerance of different points of view and access to information which does not validate the Party Line runs counter to everything in these communities.

[just me]

25 percent of all the children who entered first grade this month are Haredim.

what is the rate of growth wrt these percentages? what was the percentage 5 years ago? 10? what percentage of these children remain in this community? if, as anycomment suggests, the plus factor wrt demographics is a necessity (eight children a family!) to sustain a jewish majority...this may become unsustainable in the very near future. by the year 2020 are we looking at 1/2 the people supporting all the people?

something has got to give.

[Hometown Postville]

Harold: Haredim are unskilled... illiterate. A.Nuran:...a closed, authoritarian, obedience-based culture cannot survive...difference in perspective.

Good point and counterpoint. But someone else indicated that since taxpayers provide the majority of their sustenance,external mandates are warranted. I agree. They can scream civil liberties all they want, but until they contribute to the system, they should be accountable as much as anyone else. In America, it's called the "Welfare to Work Program." As to their educational system, perhaps a mandated percentage of academics should be devoted to practical vocational skills instead of strictly religious or academic education so they would all be capable of getting some sort of job upon graduation. That would not be denying them their right to religous education, only enhancing it for the sake of future survival. After graduation(from HIGH SCHOOL not dropping out at 8th grade), they would be assisted with job placement but no wage subsidy. When married, wages earned would be matched by gov't benefits received with no more than a five year limit to end the program, and capped at a standard rate, no matter how many children they have. (e.g. China- gov't subsidy provided for one child per household regardless of # of kids)It wouldn't be the first religious denomination to practice birth control privately while publicly denouncing it. The five year limit assumes wages will increase as the career progresses. No one exempt except for college students pursuing highly skilled/paid/in-demand vocations. Subsidizing their college education for a generation or two would provide incentive and pay for itself in the long run. Lots of room for fraud, morally questionable, and not perfect, but hey, it seems to work here in the states! At least they would not be getting a totally free ride. I have no idea if any of this is feasible in the Israeli gov't. All these changes may be against their principals, but if they want to be independent from a system they seem to abhor, they will educate themselves or find new benefactors.If you want to play, you have to pay!

[harold]

if you gave them real education it would probably destroy the Charedi way of life

Not necessarily, there is education and there is education. At worst they could receive some form of vocational training. One does not have to give them the full spectrum (it would be nice though). Remember, you have to start with baby steps and take it from there.

[A. Nuran]

True enough, Harold. Vocational training, English, Modern Hebrew and basic civics wouldn't directly harm the current system. But it would have a corrosive effect on the communities. Much of the power of the rabbis comes from their control over tzedakka and hence the livelihoods of their followers. "Comply or die" really is the basis of most religious argument. Give young people the ability to survive on their own, and some of the system of authority breaks down.

Force them to support their families, and they will begin to look at things from that perspective. This will cause rifts between the rabbonim and members of the community on everything from the number of children - How the heck am I supposed to support eleven kids on a clerk's salary?!?! - to further education and bloc voting.

Teaching science and history? Not even a hint of a glimmer of a whiff of either may be permitted. Science rewards the child who proclaims that the Emperor has no clothes. History has a way of coming up with inconvenient facts. Neither is compatible with this sort of lifestyle.

[Sholom]

In other words, their exists within the state of Israel a fast growing parasitic community, who's very nature precludes it from ever living symbiotically with it's host, and the only hope of saving the state is the destruction of that community from within?

[A. Nuran]

Not destruction, but change in a direction which allows the Charedi communities to maintain and support themselves. As the original author said, this isn't good for the majority, and it isn't good for the Charedi families and communities.

[haredi believer]

it is our right as haredim, the servers of hashem to live off of the working of the whole world because we are the only ones responsible for keeping it from disappearing with the zchis of ours torah learning. we are allowed to take from the not religious jews because they have no right to live. soon we will take over the country by having more yiddishe children than the seculars who have only one or two childrens because hashem gives us many many more of them and we will set up a real bes din to remove from the jewish people anyone who believes anything different from what it says in torah.

[Yakira]

This is obviously the truth and probably should have already been enforced by the legislation. It is always better for any given community to support its own needs opposed to relying on somebody else.

[Big Bill]

@nuran: "Harold, if you gave them real education it would probably destroy the Charedi way of life. The one thing a closed, authoritarian, obedience-based culture cannot survive is any difference in perspective."

Isn't this the lesson of the Haskala and the Maskilim? They tried to force the Chareidi to teach German and Russian and math and other useful subjects but it didn't work.